Nine months in the making - part 11

Over a year ago, I embarked in a photography project in which I wanted to document a baby's first year through photography. So I wrote a post in our local community on google plus.
Shahy and Haythem responded and the rest is history. :)

Their beautiful baby girl Haya turned one today and I was fortunate to be on holidays, so we spent a relaxing afternoon at a beautiful park.
It was the last shoot for the project and the year, so I would like to thank Shahy and Haythem for being part of the project. May you continue to enjoy this beautiful journey that is parenthood :)

Amazing what can be achieved when you dare greatly. - ("Daring greatly" by Brené Brown)

Beyond the alphabet

You are on your way

To a future

That although unknown

Is full of dreams

And hope

The pieces of a puzzle

Are scattered

Still being made

They will come together

In chunks, step by step

There are gaps

Many gaps

In your learning

But you have arrived

And you are showing up

We'll be there for you

In good and bad

Both must co-exist

But you will find your way

Just like we did

© Maria Mastrogiuseppe - 2014

A Christmas Shoot

Wishing everyone a safe and happy festive season.
Below is a small compilation of my recent Christmas shoot.
We all need a Silent Night.

xx

Nine months in the making - part 10

Conducted my final photo shoot for Stefania at her birthday party!
A long, yet short journey comes to an end in what has been an amazing project.
It has been incredible to see her grow, from stage to stage.

You experience a feeling of accomplishment, when your children get over the hurdles life throws at them. And slowly you do less and less for them, which brings about a kind of baby nostalgia; missing the time when they were little needy bundles. But, it is life, which grows, adapts and changes. Changes all the time.

I've learned lots from this experience and would like to thank Maria Jose and Carlos for allowing me to photograph their story.

Seasons Greetings

The streets were decorated by chalk scribbles and the city was invaded by children, clowns and bubbles!
This was our first Christmas Pageant as we hadn't had the opportunity to attend one in the past; we also thought our little one was not at the right age :).
The morning was cloudy, perfect conditions for photography :), so I took way too many!

When we were little (back in El Salvador) my Mum dreaded going out. We didn't have a car, so we had to travel by public transport. Third world conditions means anything can happen along the way, and unfortunately it is very unsafe for children. Nevertheless my Dad persisted in taking us out whenever he could.

Such a contrast here in our beautiful city! We had the best time and made a day of it. It felt as if children had inherited the earth! The streets were closed for them, police and organisers stopped to hi-five them and volunteers dressed up to make them smile.

So here is an avalanche of colour and good wishes!
May our children inherit a better, safer and happier Earth.

Costumes and eucalyptus oil

Spring is in full swing and with it hay fever.
I love the great weather we've been having but allergies tend to flare up around this time of the year, which is tiring and very annoying.

Our little one is currently dealing with a disruptive cough which, as we know, tends to hit the hardest at night. We use eucalyptus oil during the night to help her sleep. During the day it doesn't bother her too much, which means she is her usual cheeky self!

As such, I decided to get her a Halloween costume and do a mini photo shoot; which entertained both of us. I was over the moon with the results. I am currently experimenting with a 'film' look to some of my images and I'm liking the results.
Some of the images I captured I believe to be some of my best and favourite work to date, we will probably end up doing some large canvas prints of a few of these :).

Become like children

I am really enjoying photographing families and children. Children especially, bring such dynamic attitudes to each shoot; it is an incredible energy that makes you forget the woes of this world.

Whether they are happy to pose, shy or cranky, their worlds are black and white. They only reflect back what they see, hear, experience. They happily dress up, try new things; slowly getting over their fears, they try, fail, and try again.

Bellow are some images of a Halloween shoot. It was a warm day and the sun was quite high up still. But I got some nice shots in a short period of time. Needless to say the kids were incredible and very minimal direction was given. I'm learning so much from little people. :)

Family is bliss

Exactly a year ago I photographed our niece and her young family. Samuel is now one year old and on the verge of walking!
No matter how much we try to slow down, we seem to comment how 'fast' time passes by quite often these days :).

Our young children encompass so much of the past, present and future. Often times it feels like we are being returned gifts that were once lost; they travel with us filling our lives with a mixture of experiences, but mostly joy. The feeling of gratitude is never far away: for these blissful moments that are our lives together in family.

The smallest things

A child mesmerizes at the smallest of things; the smallest of details are a mystery to them. Hence their curiosity, persistence and admiration.

It is beautiful to spend time with the children in your life, seeing their faces light up with enjoyment when you do something silly or when they are simply enjoying your presence.

Children are free beings who don't want to give up this right: freedom. Kneeling down to play, help or instruct a child makes me feel so lucky to be alive. To be part of their world is to have no limits of what can be achieved; imagination can take you anywhere you want to go.

20th Wedding Anniversary Photo Shoot

I was 17 years old when my eldest sister got married. It was our first major event in our new country and I remember being so proud of being part of it :). Back then I remember wanting to give her and my brother in law something special for their wedding, however I was still in high school and wasn't able to.

So for their upcoming 20th wedding anniversary I thought it would be a good idea to create some beautiful memories for them. We went to a lovely little park nearby and had a lot of fun posing and photographing.

Wishing them health, happiness and many more years together!

Nine months in the making - part 9

Over seven months have past and Haya will soon be a little toddler. Her eyes are captivating and her parents are still the only world she knows. She makes noises and grabs things; I'm sure her parents melt every time she smiles at them :).

Book week project

In preparation for Book Week, we've been arranging costumes for our little ones to wear, so I thought it would be a good idea to do mini photo shoots of the children from my daughter's class.
Many mums do a lot of volunteer work with our little ones, so I thought it would be a good way to give back a little memento of this special week.

The kids (and I) had so much fun and were so cooperative, it was unbelievable. :) We headed to our local library where there were lots of open shade, trees and green areas. The inside of the library proved to be great too! Here are some (but not all) of my favourite shots :D

Sam and Bella

What a fun and inspiring weekend this was!
Through our daughter we've met so many great parents; our circle of friends keeps on growing. Her class is no different; we've met some amazing families and we are now a great little community.

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing some of these amazing people: Sam and Bella, a special mother and daughter shoot. They are energetic, generous, fun and always full of life.
I think the best way to photograph children is by getting them to do something, and catch the smiles, laughs and gestures.
So we went to a playground and just had fun!

Nine months in the making - part 8

It is the middle of winter and it has been quite a busy time all round. The frequency of the photo shoots is turning out to be every few months, rather than every month as I originally planned.
This could be tweaked in the future but I think it's turning out to be more convenient for everyone :).

Estefania and her family popped into my home studio for their next shoot. Officially she's now over eight months, however being premature means she will be a baby for a bit longer while she catches up in her development; her parents are not complaining :).

Photography-wise the session was only about 15 mins and it is always a bit nerve wracking. But the natural light was gorgeous, and I was very happy with the results. It was a great feeling once completed and I couldn't wait start editing!

RIP Tia Pimpa

Today we said goodbye to a wonderful soul. She was everybody's aunty, and young at heart. A true example of devotion and care for others. If I had turned up at her house needing help, she would've cared for me like her own child.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming, to be needed and not being able to have time for yourself. But what else is there? The satisfaction of serving oneself is limited, the caring and service for others goes beyond.

Some of us make art with pictures, music, motion; others make art with their service and unconditional love for others.

Nine months in the making - part 7

Time is flying past. It's been 6 months and Estefania is growing up fast. The weather has been crazily gorgeous for Autumn and I caught up with the family last weekend for a shoot in one of my favourite parks.

I'm half way through this project that has taken me to places I never thought. As I watch my own child grow up, it is an amazing experience to see these young babies change from newborn to babies and soon toddlers. Along side their siblings and parents they grow, with much love and nurture they grow.

Nine months in the making - part 6

Nearly four months have past and life has become a 'before' and 'after' her arrival. This is how I felt and it's probably how Haythem and Shahy now feel.

We met up for picnic on Anzac Day and it was lovely to see little Haya. My family came along as well and my daughter introduced Haya to the playground :D.
Children definitely change our lives in more ways than one; rest is minimal, worries are many, but the happiness they bring overshadows all of the above.